Pics of mobile HF antenna installs
- Thread starter Hillbilly Heaven
- Start date
rabbiporkchop
Adventurer
Here's one I made for some guy last week picture taken during testing phase on different vehicle.
AA1PR
Disabled Explorer
my homebrew mount is a 3/8"X2"X18" aluminum flat stock attached to the receiver tube, so239 with 3/8x24 flush mount
I run a 54" mast with a 102" whip on top of that, the LDG AT7000 autotuner will tune this from 60M to 6M without any problem
every once in a while I add on my homebrew bugcatcher coil to get lower in freq, though it has to be guided off
I run a 54" mast with a 102" whip on top of that, the LDG AT7000 autotuner will tune this from 60M to 6M without any problem
every once in a while I add on my homebrew bugcatcher coil to get lower in freq, though it has to be guided off
Here is my old truck. Have not done a new one yet for the 4Runner. Learned a lot on the Escape so I am going to apply that to the new install hence taking my time.
https://flickr.com/photos/82674111@N00/sets/72157600236387576
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
https://flickr.com/photos/82674111@N00/sets/72157600236387576
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Overtime the GQD got stuck and so I ditched it. The antenna is a Model 75 Tarheel. Worked well for what I needed. I'd say was a good antenna 10-60 and mediocre on 80. How much was my bad install? Probably a lot.
Later on I did weld that antenna bracket but it never stayed. Will be doing Breedlove next time.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Later on I did weld that antenna bracket but it never stayed. Will be doing Breedlove next time.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hillbilly Heaven
Explorer
Now I understand how you got away with using a lip mount. That Stubby 75 does look interesting.
I have to pay attention to power limitations as I do have an Ameritron ALS500M amp if needed. Figured since I have it might as well install it just in case it is ever needed.
I have to pay attention to power limitations as I do have an Ameritron ALS500M amp if needed. Figured since I have it might as well install it just in case it is ever needed.
prerunner1982
Adventurer
Not a big cool wheeling rig or a big cool antenna, it's my daily and it gets the job done. I should say it WAS my daily until someone crossed over center and hit me head on. I have a 2000 XJ now but no good pictures of it or the antennas but using the same setup so just imagine this XJ is red. 
Hillbilly Heaven
Explorer
Not a big cool wheeling rig or a big cool antenna, it's my daily and it gets the job done. I should say it WAS my daily until someone crossed over center and hit me head on. I have a 2000 XJ now but no good pictures of it or the antennas but using the same setup so just imagine this XJ is red.
View attachment 367421
Nice setup. I like where you mounted the VHF/UHF antenna.
I would think with the HF antenna mounted that low on the body that it would seriously effect antenna tuning.
prerunner1982
Adventurer
Thank you. My trail Jeep has the vhf/uhf antenna on the roof and I can tell a difference but I didn't want to drill holes in this one...or the new one. The vhf/uhf antenna that appears to be "centered" on the Jeep in the picture is actually on the passenger rear corner on a crossbar I made to hold my mountain bike. Being a 1/2 wave on 2m the antenna isn't so ground dependent and the antenna checks out fine with the analyzer.
Not really, the main coil portion of the antenna is above the roofline. With the 20m stick I don't use the internal tuner and get about a 1.2+/- swr. The 40m stick isn't as good on the new Jeep, I need to spend some time and bond the hood, exhaust, etc to the rest of the body. The 40m stick was good on the blue Jeep though so I know it can be done. I also run a 102" on the same mount but I am thinking of getting a 10m stick and leaving the 102" on the trail Jeep. With 3 HF antennas I can cover 6m, 10-12m, 15m, 20m, and 40m with either no tuner or using the radios internal tuner. Sure you have to get out and change the antennas but that's easy, and the antennas break down to fit into the back of the Jeep.
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I'd love to play with the ALS500M, first order of business is to get the antenna mounted, and tuned perfectly.... What are you planning on feeding it with? Lines, length, battery, etc.
Thanks--
Hillbilly Heaven
Explorer
I have a triple battery setup. With the third battery in the rear. It is fed with 1/0 from the isolation relay up front, about 12 feet. My alternator is only 160 Amp for now. If I need a bigger alternator I will have to swap out to an 8 rib belt instead of the 6 rib I have now. Distance from the amp to the battery is very short so 2 ga will be plenty large enough for that. On the peaks it might hit 80 amp spikes. If I have a problem with voltage sag I can always get some of those giant capacitors to handle the peaks.